Authorities ban controversial website

Manama : The authorities here recently banned a controversial London-based news channel, LuaLua TV. It was considered as “an Arabic media branch of the Iranian regime” for its constant attacks on Bahrain and other GCC States.

It was repeatedly criticised for its biased coverage of events taking place in regions, such as Syria and GCC countries.

It was also shutdown by the British authorities on several occasions since its launch in July 2011. However, the channel’s account is still operative on social media.

British authorities had also shutdown another YouTube channel, Bahrain Al Youm, last November. The channel’s staff allegedly harassed officials of the Bahrain Embassy and other Bahraini citizens in London.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Parliamentary Committee Head Abdulla Binhowail told DT News: “The founder of the channel is among a group of people wanted for security cases in Bahrain. They are evading verdicts of upto 15 years of imprisonment and they are currently seeking political asylum in the UK.”